What do you think?
Rate this book
The King of Elfland's Little Sister
Master Detective Nicely Strongoak is in need of a furlough, but when the Elfin Chief Executive of the Citadel High Council – Evermore Truelight, a.k.a. the ‘King of Elfland’ – calls, you answer. So Nicely drives his ’57 Dragonette steam wagon to the exclusive elf enclave known as Tall Trees, where Widergard’s best-dressed dwarf detective finds a whole new world of trouble.
Mixed race steamy ‘adult’ pictures, apparently featuring Truelove’s sister, lead to Milkwood and the glamorous world of rolling pictures, while Nicely’s current case, involving ‘celebrity dwarf’ councillor Getgold Grounding’s housekeeper’s missing daughter leads to a sorcerous beauty parlour, a bodiless head and an Elf with No Name.
The last thing Nicely need, especially with a date with gorgeous half-elf actress Elsira looming, is an enforced trip to the sun, but that’s what he gets. A fairy with a broken wing, Goblin people traffickers and the biggest Dragon’s Eye diamond ever, all combine to produce a case for Nicely that goes to the heart of what family is about in a multi-racial society that includes amorous dwarves and immortal elves.
The new Detective Strongoak adventure from the author of the #1 Kindle Bestselling Detective Strongoak and the Case of the Dead Elf.
Mixed race steamy ‘adult’ pictures, apparently featuring Truelove’s sister, lead to Milkwood and the glamorous world of rolling pictures, while Nicely’s current case, involving ‘celebrity dwarf’ councillor Getgold Grounding’s housekeeper’s missing daughter leads to a sorcerous beauty parlour, a bodiless head and an Elf with No Name.
The last thing Nicely need, especially with a date with gorgeous half-elf actress Elsira looming, is an enforced trip to the sun, but that’s what he gets. A fairy with a broken wing, Goblin people traffickers and the biggest Dragon’s Eye diamond ever, all combine to produce a case for Nicely that goes to the heart of what family is about in a multi-racial society that includes amorous dwarves and immortal elves.
The new Detective Strongoak adventure from the author of the #1 Kindle Bestselling Detective Strongoak and the Case of the Dead Elf.
- GenresFantasy
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 23, 2018
15 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Terry Newman
6 books57 followersTerry Newman is a former biomedical research scientist and lecturer who came into writing via comedy writing for the BBC and Channel 4. This part-time interest developed into a fully-fledged occupation and he finally hung up his microscope for good in 2004. Since then he has written extensively, both drama and comedy, for stage, film, television, radio and New Media throughout the world. His first novel ‘Detective Strongoak and the Case of the Dead Elf’ was a #1 Kindle Bestseller (Epic Fantasy). Detective Strongoak's latest adventure is 'The King of Elfland's Little Sister'.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 15, 2018
A BOOK TO FALL IN LOVE WITH
They call him Nicely Strongoak. That's the name on his Birth Certificate and he's fine with that. He's also fine with well-packed pipes, well-chilled Brews and well-built lovelies of the female persuasion.
Nicely Strongoak is a Shamus, a Private Eye, a Detective -- a Master Detective, in fact, and he has the business cards to prove it. He's also got a smart mouth, a slick ride, and a sharp wardrobe. He'd be Phillip Marlowe, if Marlowe had owned a classic convertible, a closet full of custom-made suits and parents who were Dwarves. Oh, did I neglect to mention that Nicely Strongoak is a Dwarf? Silly me! But don't get the wrong idea. Though Dwarf he may be, he can flatten an Ogre, rescue a Damsel in Distress, and save a dozen lives all before breakfast.
Master Detective Nicely Strongoak lives somewhere between "over there" and "WAY over there", in a thriving metropolis inhabited by the usual suspects -- Dwarves (of course), plus Gnomes, Ogres, Wizards, Pixies, Elves and scumbags. (the existence of Unicorns, though rumored, has yet to be documented). His impressive list of friends is enough to make a Dragon qive up smoking. He's on a first-name basis with the local Royal Family, which includes a few Princesses, a King, and a Queen (a Porn Queen, I grant you, but, as the saying goes: "Royalty is as Royalty does").
When His Royal Highness, the King of Elfland, discovers that his Royal abode is short one Princess, he does what any self-respecting King of Elfland would do -- he calls Master Detective Nicely Strongoak. In short (no pun intended) order, Nicely is up to his Topknot in magnificent Movie Stars, a wizened Wizard, a magical Elf with no name and a clan of Dwarf-chewing kidnappers.
Some writers can tell a great story. A few writers can write dialogue that makes you say "I wish I'D said that". And a precious few writers can create characters who are always the coolest people in the room -- people you'd love to hang out with. But I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of writers who can do all three. Terence Newman is one of THOSE writers!
"The King of Elfland's Little Sister" is Nicely's 2nd adventure. His debut, "Detective Strongoak & The Case of the Dead Elf" preceded it, as debuts are wont to do. If you're new to the life and times of Nicely Strongoak, do be a clever Human and read "The Case of The Dead Elf". That way, by the time Nicely returns for his 3rd adventure, you will already have devoured books one and two, and be drooling for number three. If you're not prone to drooling, you can always cool your anticipation with a tall Beezer and a long, imaginary ride up a winding mountain road in a cherried-out, British Racing Green, '57 Dragonette convertible. (but do watch out for Unicorns).
They call him Nicely Strongoak. That's the name on his Birth Certificate and he's fine with that. He's also fine with well-packed pipes, well-chilled Brews and well-built lovelies of the female persuasion.
Nicely Strongoak is a Shamus, a Private Eye, a Detective -- a Master Detective, in fact, and he has the business cards to prove it. He's also got a smart mouth, a slick ride, and a sharp wardrobe. He'd be Phillip Marlowe, if Marlowe had owned a classic convertible, a closet full of custom-made suits and parents who were Dwarves. Oh, did I neglect to mention that Nicely Strongoak is a Dwarf? Silly me! But don't get the wrong idea. Though Dwarf he may be, he can flatten an Ogre, rescue a Damsel in Distress, and save a dozen lives all before breakfast.
Master Detective Nicely Strongoak lives somewhere between "over there" and "WAY over there", in a thriving metropolis inhabited by the usual suspects -- Dwarves (of course), plus Gnomes, Ogres, Wizards, Pixies, Elves and scumbags. (the existence of Unicorns, though rumored, has yet to be documented). His impressive list of friends is enough to make a Dragon qive up smoking. He's on a first-name basis with the local Royal Family, which includes a few Princesses, a King, and a Queen (a Porn Queen, I grant you, but, as the saying goes: "Royalty is as Royalty does").
When His Royal Highness, the King of Elfland, discovers that his Royal abode is short one Princess, he does what any self-respecting King of Elfland would do -- he calls Master Detective Nicely Strongoak. In short (no pun intended) order, Nicely is up to his Topknot in magnificent Movie Stars, a wizened Wizard, a magical Elf with no name and a clan of Dwarf-chewing kidnappers.
Some writers can tell a great story. A few writers can write dialogue that makes you say "I wish I'D said that". And a precious few writers can create characters who are always the coolest people in the room -- people you'd love to hang out with. But I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of writers who can do all three. Terence Newman is one of THOSE writers!
"The King of Elfland's Little Sister" is Nicely's 2nd adventure. His debut, "Detective Strongoak & The Case of the Dead Elf" preceded it, as debuts are wont to do. If you're new to the life and times of Nicely Strongoak, do be a clever Human and read "The Case of The Dead Elf". That way, by the time Nicely returns for his 3rd adventure, you will already have devoured books one and two, and be drooling for number three. If you're not prone to drooling, you can always cool your anticipation with a tall Beezer and a long, imaginary ride up a winding mountain road in a cherried-out, British Racing Green, '57 Dragonette convertible. (but do watch out for Unicorns).
May 14, 2020
This delivered classic Master Detective Nicely Strongoak fun, but the plot and characters were too convoluted for me to care by the end and I found about 40% of the puns and sexual references annoying.
I remember the first Strongoak book also had too many characters for me to keep track of, and by the time the big reveal happened, I couldn't remember the details that would make me care about the mystery in the first place. Maybe that's just me.
The real fun is in the world-building and in the nuances of Citadel culture revealed by Strongoak's jokes and prejudices. It was gutsy to have over a third of the book dedicated to the mines of Oria.
I suspect the author got really into hats between book 1 and this one? lol, he loved that freaking hat. I am a huge fan of Terry Newman and I think it's so cool he created this entire world and mix of genres. Hats off to Terry lol rite.
This was fun, but I'm glad it's over. I probably got tired of it after the very well-done introduction to the mines of Oria. I'd read another Strongoak book, but I preferred the first to this one.
I remember the first Strongoak book also had too many characters for me to keep track of, and by the time the big reveal happened, I couldn't remember the details that would make me care about the mystery in the first place. Maybe that's just me.
The real fun is in the world-building and in the nuances of Citadel culture revealed by Strongoak's jokes and prejudices. It was gutsy to have over a third of the book dedicated to the mines of Oria.
I suspect the author got really into hats between book 1 and this one? lol, he loved that freaking hat. I am a huge fan of Terry Newman and I think it's so cool he created this entire world and mix of genres. Hats off to Terry lol rite.
This was fun, but I'm glad it's over. I probably got tired of it after the very well-done introduction to the mines of Oria. I'd read another Strongoak book, but I preferred the first to this one.
February 19, 2019
Nicely Strongoak becomes embroiled in a complex plot with so many snags that he barely unravels it by the last page. Forever the optimist, Nicely has the perfect quip for every disaster that befalls him. Easily on a par with Newman’s first Strongoak novel - this one is not to be missed!
April 9, 2020
Noir Detective Fantasy Fun!
“And if you don’t believe in magic beans, you are not a coffee drinker.” One of my favorite quotes. It’s a lot like the story. You either get it or you don’t.
“And if you don’t believe in magic beans, you are not a coffee drinker.” One of my favorite quotes. It’s a lot like the story. You either get it or you don’t.
August 1, 2020
A noir mystery (a very classic one, with sinister secrets in the high society etc.) mixed with high fantasy tropes (the high society being elves). Wit-tongued protagonist. Solid worldbuilding. I was entertained.
November 6, 2020
Another great Terry
Loved this book and the other Strongoak books. The imagination is unlimited. Can not wait for the next one, please another soon. My new favorite author since finishing all of Terry Prachtett
Loved this book and the other Strongoak books. The imagination is unlimited. Can not wait for the next one, please another soon. My new favorite author since finishing all of Terry Prachtett
January 9, 2019
Loved this book. The title grabbed my attention, being a play on the Edward Dunsany book of many years ago.
It is written in the style of Raymond Chandler, Sam Spade detective novel. Narrated by the PI who is the main protagonist.
However, this book is set in a world of dwarves, gnomes, elves, goblins and wizards. And so we have a wider range of options and places for the story to go. This sets it apart from a run of the mill 1940's style private detective novel.
But make no mistake, this book is no poor excuse for Lord of the rings or a Harry Potter spoof. This book stands up very nicely in its own right. Appropriate really, as the lead character is a dwarf called Nicely Strongoak.
I am not going to give the story away or give spoilers, but I liked the change of direction and scenery halfway through the book. It made an enjoyable read into a really enjoyable read.
I will be looking into more of Mr Newman's books ASAP
It is written in the style of Raymond Chandler, Sam Spade detective novel. Narrated by the PI who is the main protagonist.
However, this book is set in a world of dwarves, gnomes, elves, goblins and wizards. And so we have a wider range of options and places for the story to go. This sets it apart from a run of the mill 1940's style private detective novel.
But make no mistake, this book is no poor excuse for Lord of the rings or a Harry Potter spoof. This book stands up very nicely in its own right. Appropriate really, as the lead character is a dwarf called Nicely Strongoak.
I am not going to give the story away or give spoilers, but I liked the change of direction and scenery halfway through the book. It made an enjoyable read into a really enjoyable read.
I will be looking into more of Mr Newman's books ASAP
January 22, 2019
I loved this book. I must have because I am now buying its predecessor! Not only a great story with a complicated yet thoroughly involving plot, but also full of terrific characters and places, and above all a brilliant creation in Nicely himself, a private detective operating in a world of dwarfs, elves, goblins and the like. If you can imagine Raymond Chandler writing Lord of the Rings, you wouldn't be very close! Because while the style. plot and motivations are not a million miles away from the former's Philip Marlowe tales, here they are ingeniously woven into a wonderfully make believe world. Humorous in part and certainly fantastical, this is nevertheless ultimately a regular detective story, and in short, is a spiffing read and one I recommend wholeheartedly.
January 10, 2019
A fun return to the world of Terry Newman's first hard-boiled detective fantasy and Detective Nicely Strongoak! The genre mix is particularly engaging for readers who love both fantasy and the old pulp detective style tales, as Newman blends them together in a tasty stew. Highly recommended! (And if you haven't yet read the first book in the series, be sure to check that one out, too!)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews